The Minarets High School Key Club will be selling Boo Grams at lunch time this October in order to raise money for UNICEF’s Eliminate Project.
Every year, Key Club, a club devoted to community service, holds fundraisers for charities both local and international, including the Ronald McDonald House and the Pediatric Trauma Program. Although the number of fundraisers held for these charities has varied over the years, the club has never ceased to hold its annual Boo Grams fundraiser for UNICEF’s Eliminate Project. For only $1, students can purchase a small bag of candy to be delivered to their chosen recipient a few days before Halloween. While this $1 may not seem like a large sacrifice, it has a profound impact on the organization it is donated to.
In 2010, UNICEF and Kiwanis International, the larger organization of Key Club, joined together to create the Eliminate Project. In countries where there is a lack of healthcare and education services, maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) is devastating. If a baby is born with it, they live for only a few days in agonizing pain, struggling to breathe and experiencing convulsions. In remote villages, especially those affected by war and natural disaster, MNT is extremely prevalent. However, the disease is very preventable with immunization and UNICEF is seeking to bring it to women, as well as educate them on safe and healthy birthing practices. This $1 goes toward the cost of the immunization and once a woman receives it, she and all her future children are protected against MNT.
Minarets Key Club President senior Laura Rohrbaugh says the fundraiser is important for just that reason.
“It’s important because it’s saving not only mother’s lives but also their children’s lives and any of their future children, in third world countries.”
In the past, the club has been able to raise over $100 towards the purpose of fighting MNT and it will be interesting to see how much they are able to raise this year, especially coming back from a year where students were deprived of exciting activities such as this.
Boo Grams will be sold near the gym at lunch time for $1 each from Oct. 5 to Oct. 28. Purchased Boo Grams will be distributed during 7th period on Oct. 29.